Chapter 127 The crown
Chapter 127 The crown
"I want to apologize for being late before coming here me and the other lords and kings made a last-minute council meeting"
The heroes' side didn't speak and motioned for her to continue.
"And we all decided that the previous deal between me and Julius will be final"
Her words might sound normal however Apollo can tell that she is somewhat reluctant, and it wasn't just him but his classmates as well and everyone inside the room can tell.
"It seems she doesn't like what Julius suggested"
Sakura whispered to Mckenzie making the latter nod his head.
"As per the agreement I will marry Julius and our children will be the heirs of our throne. If ever we have only one heir he or she will rule both kingdoms. If two then they will take each. If it's three or more we will test them who is worthy of having the throne"
She explained however someone's attention wasn't on her. Apollo, Alicia and Julius were looking at someone else as she spoke.
"Artemis"
Apollo spoke approaching her seat, as he arrived beside her, he slightly leaned his head towards her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, though she nodded answering his question but Apollo could see the tears that were about to fall on her eyes.
"She is hurt" he concluded.
[Her stress hormone is increasing like cortisol which currently leads her heart rate to increase]
"You scanned her?"
[Yes]
"She is an illusion"
[An illusion that can affect reality, my Creator]
Apollo wanted to facepalm but couldn't his eyes remained solely on Artemis.
"Are you sure you are alright?" he asked again.
"Yes, thank you, Uncle Esteban"
In her words, Apollo just nodded.
"Heroes please tell me if there is anything you want to discuss or anything you want to add to this treaty"
The empress said then Sakura spoke wanting to end the meeting since it was beginning to bore her.
"I want an oath to make sure the devils won't raise a war against humanity" Continue your journey on mvl
With those words, one of the generals spoke as well.
"We also want peace but we need more than just a random oath"
"How about a contract? We put the terms and make sure no unfairness will occur"
Issac suggested causing everyone to agree.
"We should put all the things we wanted then discuss what needs to be changed or removed"
"Okay we should do that"
That is the start of the nightmare of the lower class, since the people they possess are significant figures they need to do what they contributed in this meeting, and as accurately as possible. Fortunately, Blair was there and through his blessing, they were able to great a group telepathy. In this way, if they forget their next line either Apollo or Keith will give the answer.
"I just hope we don't get caught"
Apollo thought to himself while assisting Mckenzie.
After a few more hours the meeting ended and everyone began to disperse.
"Then is this the end?"
Mckenzie asked while trying to track the next events in his head. The meeting had reduced his mental energy to zero.
"The next is the Creation of the Empire then War of Faith"
Blair answered while having a bitter expression. The War of Faith was their least favourite part of their lesson however they still needed to take part in it.
As they walk a notification suddenly pops up on the air
(Congratulations students you clear the third part of the exam!
We welcome you to the fourth part.
Lesson 4: The Creation of the Empire
Good luck students!)
Without any warning, they got transported right to Julius' coronation.
"What just happened?"
"I don't know!"
"This is no longer an exam!"
McKenzie exclaimed while being pushed by a group of people. The others weren't so lucky as well since Agnes got stepped on her foot while being accidentally punched by someone. Arabella and Matilda almost kill a drunkard when they lewdly touch them and some of the remaining of their classmates get swept by the crowd.
"Hey, we are heroes quit pushing!"
Braiden said while trying to get through the people.
"We aren't supposed to here right? We are very significant characters here!"
While the others struggle to get out of the crowd Apollo and Alicia are standing right at the platform for the emperor.
"Should we help them?" Alicia worriedly asked which Apollo answered.
"Nah it should be alright"
The first two parts were truly nerve-wracking since they needed to move their entire body to survive while the third was full of words and pressuring situations. They need to say the words that their possessed character said. However right after that stressful moment, now they were brought right in the middle of a big crowd that almost swallowed them alive.
.....
Apollo's Pov.
"If you put your hand on me I'll chop to pieces!"
I can hear Mckenzie's angry shout making the crowd parted. It seems Riku's character which is the one Mckenzie possesses has a very intense aura that is unbearable to ordinary people. My eyes then went to Alicia who seemed a little nervous then from her my attention went to Artemis.
[Her current stress hormones are still the same.
Her heart rate is increasing while her emotions are in disarray]
"She is anxious and heartbroken?"
[Yes according to my scanner her diagnosis states she is in a state called heartbroken]
I went blank for a moment, she is heartbroken? Why? With whom?
As my thoughts ran wild I realized one person who seemed too concerned over her emotions.
"His attention was on her the entire meeting"
[Julius]
"Yes"
[You think she is heartbroken because he will marry the empress?]
"Maybe"
So in order to gain peace and remove all possible conflict between humanity and devils, Julius compromises his own happiness.
Then my mind went back to the empress her voice that wanting someone to object to her words about marriage to Julius
...
The trumpets roar attracting the attention of the crowd.
The gate of the imperial castle opens revealing five heroic figures. It was Julius with the four remaining kings and queens of the continent. They will be the ones to crown Julius as emperor.
The king of the Kingdom of Qin motions the people to silence, and as he does so Julius kneels down while the four remaining leaders surround him.
As the crowd became quiet the current leader of the eastern islands came forth. His hand holding the crown that shall rest on the ruler's head.
"Hero, with this crown, we entrust you to lead with wisdom and justice"
She then placed the crown on his head.
After that, the daughter of the previous king of the Kingdom of Yi came forward holding Excalibur in her hand.
"With this sword, we entrust that you will lead with strength and become the blade that will protect us all"
Excalibur's blade shines bright blinding the crowd, gently the soon-to-be queen gives the sword to Julius.
"May your rule be blessed by the heavens and respected by all." After giving both the crown and the sword the four rulers all said in unison.
The crowd felt excited however they kept their voices and action in control.
On the other hand, the main focus of the event tightly held the sword in his two hands, while his head felt how heavy the crown could be. There are many emotions that run down to his heart, one last time he looks at her. He can't be hers while she can't be his either. All they can do is watch each other be married to someone else.
The empire must be built with people's connection, and arranging the marriage of each member of the pillars to the significant members of the war became essential.
There is no turning back, they can never turn back, and so he spoke.
"I Julius Mariano Von Celestio, humbly accept the burden of this crown and the responsibility it signifies. May my reign bring prosperity and peace to our empire."
The crown wanted to cheer but before they could a voice pierced through the people.
"People of the continent I present to you all the strongest hero of mankind and now your ruler!"
Sakura who was crowned as queen proudly announced though her eyes lingered on the crowd until it landed on two people. Yuki and Riku who successfully escape the wave of people and stand right beside Apollo. A smile escapes her lips before addressing the people again.
"Please give your blessings, fill the air with your magic and give it to your ruler, Emperor Julius!"
The crowd went wild and screamed as much as they wanted, some began to chant giving blessings not only to the emperor but to every hero that mankind recognize.
With everyone's acknowledgement, Julius finally stood up, bearing the burden of the remaining humans of the continent.
While the crowd cheered the lower-class students stood on the sideline, all of them having the same line of thoughts.
"He isn't happy" they all concluded.